I had a very good first day

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JONATHAN20

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CLINTON, CT
So my day started with us going to the supply house to pick up some 15min timers and some other odds and ends. Then we went to a verizon store to estimate a job that they had asked him. There unhappy with there lighting. That will a be a job for maybe next week about 20 troffers. Then we were off to the actual job. It is a 3 family house. The problem is that all the lighting in common areas are tapped into feeds from tenants. Which cant be done. Common areas have to be on the owners meter. So we have to rewire every common light, and smoke dedector in common areas to a new a circuit. Or should a say new meter and panal. It will probably take another couple of days to finish. Alot of it is knob & tube. I was like what the hell is this? So he explained the madness behind it. Were doing the work in 1/2 emt. I did the measuring and cutting of the pipe a couple of 90's and box offsets. Tomorrow were pulling wire. But yeah other than that it was a very good day. Im exciting for next week thought we gotta put in a 1000 amp service. Thats gonna be swweeeeet.
 
Sounds like you've gotten hooked up with a guy that's gonna give you a real nice mix of work. Take it all in, because you're in a very enviable position. Guys spend years and years doing one little niche thing, and you're getting a nice variety. When you do that 1000 amp service, just realize that many guys will go their whole career and never do a 1000 amp service. You'll be helping with one on your second week. You need to stick with this guy and learn everything he can show you.
 
I agree with being in an envious position. All too often, a person starts out doing one thing, like roping a house or bending conduit. They get good at it, but that's all they know after a while. It's kinka like being a type-cast actor/actress. Try hard to think of any roles other then Capt. Hawkeye Pierce (M*A*S*H) that Alan Alda did.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. And don't be afraid to make suggestions. Just because you're new to the trade doesn't mean you can come up with some pretty creative ideas.

Good luck, and keep us posts. And stay safe!
 
mdshunk said:
When you do that 1000 amp service, just realize that many guys will go their whole career and never do a 1000 amp service.
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Marc's spot on here. As you help build this give us details and pics.
 
George Stolz said:
Ken, who's Alan Alda?
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Jonathan,
If I may make a suggestion, always keep a notebook and pen with you at all times. That way you can keep notes, write down dimensions for conduit bends, things to do if left unattended for short periods of time etc!
By the way, CONGRATS on your exciting first day. :grin: :cool:
 
Johnathon - congrats - as people before have said, this guys sounds like he's got a great mix of work. Also as noted before - take notes, take pics. When you get home, spend a few minutes each day organizing the info. Try to organize in sections that make sense to you. As you get more time in, start even keeping track of time it takes to perform certain tasks - that's assuming you ever have a goal to be a contractor yourself.

Also, again as someone else mentioned, I'd also like to see some pics of that 1000A service in various stages - if you feel comfortable posting them.

Good luck,

Dave
 
mdshunk said:
Sounds like you've gotten hooked up with a guy that's gonna give you a real nice mix of work. Take it all in, because you're in a very enviable position. Guys spend years and years doing one little niche thing, and you're getting a nice variety. When you do that 1000 amp service, just realize that many guys will go their whole career and never do a 1000 amp service. You'll be helping with one on your second week. You need to stick with this guy and learn everything he can show you.
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True. I am 65 and biggest I have done is 400. Of course when you are doing it by yourself, that is about as big as you want.:smile:
 
Welcome aboard, you will have a long and rewarding career if you show this person you are willing to commit fully to your job. Good help is hard to find so don't give him a reason to look. Keep your mind open and your feet moving and you do just fine. As suggested from the other posts your in a unique spot. Create the value within yourself by learning and getting good at whatever your required to do. Lastly the only way to have a good idea is to have a lot of them. I know here in my company my manager likes to have options and the word can't isn't one of them. My personnel golden token is I begin every conversation with "What can I do to help?" The willing horse will get the load.

LHarrington
 
hardworkingstiff said:
I don't see what's so impressive about a 1,000-amp service. Now a 4,000-amp service, well.... now your talking, :smile: (I've never done anything larger than a 1,000-amp service.)
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I worked on this building,
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800 amp feeder top floor please.... :grin:
 
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